1975: The Duets

Be the first to write a review

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Ken Dryden
Although Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond made many rewarding recordings together, this was their only duo album; it was inspired by several duo performances on board a cruise ship. Their magical ESP is evident from start to finish. Brubeck's lyricism throughout these sessions will surprise critics who label him as "bombastic," while Desmond, known for his pure dry-toned alto sax, throws a few curves to his longtime fans. The loping waltz treatment of "Alice in Wonderland" and a delicate interpretation of the Mexican folk song "The Blue Dove" contrast with their abstract approach to "Stardust." The especially adventurous introduction to Brubeck's oriental blues "Koto Song" ...
See more details below
CD (Remastered / Digi-Pak)
$7.19
BN.com price
(Save 40%)$11.99 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (CD)
  • All (7) from $7.79   
  • New (7) from $7.79   

More About This Product

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Ken Dryden
Although Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond made many rewarding recordings together, this was their only duo album; it was inspired by several duo performances on board a cruise ship. Their magical ESP is evident from start to finish. Brubeck's lyricism throughout these sessions will surprise critics who label him as "bombastic," while Desmond, known for his pure dry-toned alto sax, throws a few curves to his longtime fans. The loping waltz treatment of "Alice in Wonderland" and a delicate interpretation of the Mexican folk song "The Blue Dove" contrast with their abstract approach to "Stardust." The especially adventurous introduction to Brubeck's oriental blues "Koto Song" opens with Desmond providing percussion by tapping on his instrument's keys without blowing; the piece then slowly evolves from random-sounding fragments into its haunting theme. Their return visit to "Balcony Rock," a collaborative effort from the 1950s, is an absolutely buoyant miniature. Brubeck performs his "Summer Song" alone in a mood of celebration, unlike the wistful flavor of his first recording of it with Louis Armstrong. The audio source for "You Go to My Head" is a BBC videotape made during the concert which inspired the making of this album, but the memorable interaction between the two musicians during this performance should be considered one of the high points of their respective careers. This 2002 CD reissue improves upon the wretched sound of the original LP caused by use of recycled vinyl and an earlier CD which omitted Desmond's liner notes and most of the photos. This limited-edition disc is beautifully packaged in a mini-LP gatefold cover with a soft cloth sleeve for the disc. This is an essential acquisition for fans of Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 8/11/2009
  • Label: A&M
  • UPC: 602527068633
  • Catalog Number: 001299502
  • Sales rank: 39,979

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Alice in Wonderland - Paul Desmond (4:04)
  2. 2 These Foolish Things - Paul Desmond (5:09)
  3. 3 Blue Dove - Paul Desmond (4:34)
  4. 4 Stardust - Paul Desmond (4:45)
  5. 5 Koto Song - Paul Desmond (5:56)
  6. 6 Balcony Rock - Paul Desmond (2:16)
  7. 7 Summer Song - Paul Desmond (3:18)
  8. 8 You Got to My Head - Paul Desmond (7:32)
Read More Show Less

Album Credits

Performance Credits
Dave Brubeck Primary Artist, Piano
Paul Desmond Alto Saxophone
Technical Credits
Dave Brubeck Arranger
Paul Desmond Liner Notes
Elvin Campbell Engineer
J. Fred Coots Composer
Haven Gillespie Composer
Kevin Reeves Mastering
John Snyder Producer
Roland Young Art Direction
Hollis King Art Direction
Harry Mittman Cover Photo
Harry Link Composer
Jack Strachey Composer
Holt Marvell Composer
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously